Open Faculty/Administrative Positions in the Department

Open Postings: We are seeking an Assistant Professor in Climate or Paleoclimate Science

We are hiring for a tenure-track, nine-month faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin in August 2025. We seek a candidate whose research broadly covers climate science, including modern climate dynamics, paleoclimate records, and/or links between the two. This candidate will support teaching a sophomore-level earth systems history course (GES 2250) required of all geology and environmental science majors, and develop a new upper-level course in climate or paleoclimate science. Additional teaching responsibilities may include supporting one or more existing courses such as: biogeochemistry, sedimentary geology, spatial data analysis, or introductory labs, depending on the candidate’s area of expertise. The candidate must have a Ph.D. in environmental science, geoscience, or a closely related field at the time of appointment and must possess a strong commitment to undergraduate education, mentoring undergraduate research, and developing an externally funded research program.

See https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/45836 for more details.  

About the GES Department

The Appalachian State University Geological and Environmental Sciences (GES) Department provides students with a solid foundation on which to build a successful career in the geosciences and environmental sciences. 

We are the largest undergraduate geosciences department in the UNC system, and we have been successful in establishing a program that is arguably among the best Bachelor degree programs in earth and environmental sciences available in the southeastern United States.

GES offers the following degree programs and concentrations:

Earth/Environmental Science Secondary Education Concentration

Environmental Science (BS)

  • Earth System Science Concentration
  • Natural Resources Concentration
  • Quantitative Environmental Science Concentration

Geology (BA) or (BS)

Geology (BS)

  • Environmental Geology Concentration
  • Paleontology Concentration
  • Quantitative Geoscience Concentration

See our Get Involved! page for opportunities for GES students in research, outreach, and teaching.

What should I major in?

Many students (and parents) come into our program a bit confused as to what the geosciences and environmental sciences actually are, and what kind of training our programs of study provide. Common questions we answer are:

  • "Isn't geology just about rocks?" (no!)
  • "What is better for the job I want? A geology degree or an environmental science degree?"
  • "What's the difference between environmental studies and environmental science?"

The information on the "What should I major in?" page and our Programs of Study page will help you decide if a degree in Geology, a degree in Environmental Science, or a degree in another program is the right major for you!

If you're not yet sure you want to major in Geology or Environmental Science, take one (or more) of our many General Education classes - learn about water resources, environmental cleanup, dinosaurs, oceanography, natural disasters, energy resources, fossils, and of course... rocks.  According to Slate, "Introductory Geology classes are the best science electives" and we certainly agree!

We study more than just rocks!

Geology is about more than just rocks.

Environmental Science is about more than just ecology, policy, or regulations.

What is Geology?

Our faculty have expertise in all fields of the Earth and Environmental sciences.

Click on our each of our research programs below to see what we do!

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How does the earth move?

 tectonics.jpg

Tectonics Research Group:

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What processes affect water supply and quality?

researchers in river

Hydrology and Environmental Geology Research Group:

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What do fossils tell us?

bone microscopy image

Paleontology Research Group:

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What do landforms tell us? How do humans influence landscapes?

Surface processes

Surface Processes Research Group

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What do the minerals in rocks tell us? What is the role they play in the environment?

mineral microscopy image

Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry Research Group:

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How is Earth's climate recorded in minerals, rocks, sediment, water, and ice? How has climate changed through time?

Records of Climate Change

Records of Climate Change Research Group:

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What's so special about our department?

Ask A Geologist

You've got questions? We've got answers!  Ask A Geologist!

Did you find something that puzzled you in your backyard or on top of a mountain? Have questions about local environmental problems? Want to know about what's going on in Boone Creek, the Watauga River, and the New River? Concerned about fracking in your region? Do you have a mineral that you can't identify? Think you found a meteorite? We will do our best to answer any geological/environmental question. We also have pages that answer some of our most frequently asked questions.

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